Written Answers Nos. 377-396
377. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will reinstate and put in place a waiver scheme for the elderly and disabled to assist them with their refuse collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6387/14]
View answerThe Government’s new waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, was published in July 2012. Among the measures included in the policy document was the establishment of an inter-departmental working group to report to Government with options to minimise the impact of waste charges on low-income households.
The working group, which comprises representatives of my Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Public Expenditure and Reform; Finance; and the Tánaiste's Office, submitted its second report to Government on 23 July, 2013. Government considered the report and, given the complexity of the issues involved, mandated the working group to continue to examine the design and implementation of measures to address the issue , with a view to submitting a third report to Government shortly.
378. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Kilcummin sewerage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6389/14]
View answerThe Kilcummin Sewerage Scheme was included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to advance through planning during the life of the Programme.
The most recent proposal in relation to the Kilcummin Sewerage Scheme was submitted by Kerry County Council to my Department in June 2012. Following an examination of the proposal there were concerns regarding the unit costs of the scheme and following discussions between the Council and my Department, the Council agreed to submit further information to enable my Department to make a decision on the matter. This further information was not submitted to my Department prior to 1 January 2014.
From 1 January 2014 Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the 2010 – 2013 Water Services Investment Programme. The further progression of all water services capital projects, including the Kilcummin Sewerage Scheme, is a matter for Irish Water.
379. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the rental accommodation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6393/14]
View answerThe Rental Accommodation Scheme is a targeted scheme to cater for the accommodation needs of persons in receipt of rent supplement, normally for more than 18 months, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. In that context the primary objective of RAS is to accommodate rent supplement recipients where it is deemed that they now have a long-term housing need.
The 18 month threshold, as referred to, is employed as a ‘rule of thumb’ to try to distinguish between persons who are seeking a short term income support and those who have a long term housing need. While in general a household must be in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more in order to qualify for RAS, housing authorities do, on occasion, accept households on to RAS where they have been less than 18 months on rent supplement. This occurs under exceptional circumstances and where a long term housing need can be demonstrated. Accepting persons into RAS before the 18 month period has elapsed has been applied in respect of homeless persons and for households with special needs. It has also been applied administratively where a landlord is bringing a number of properties across with tenants on rent supplement for different periods and where it has been relevant in facilitating persons moving back to employment.
It is considered, particularly in the current economic climate where unemployment is resulting in an increase in the numbers on rent supplement, that the 18 month threshold remains an appropriate juncture at which to review a household’s on-going need for support.
380. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problems at the factory (details supplield) in Tallaght regarding the emission of fumes which have caused the plant to be evacuated on a number of occasions and have caused problems for premises on the same site; and if the Environmental Protection Agency is investigating this matter. [6400/14]
View answerThe site in question operates under an IPC licence granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPC licences are a matter for the EPA. All documents relating to individual IPC licences, including inspection information, are available to view on the EPA’s website at www.epa.ie.
Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases.
382. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the number of anti-social behaviour officers currently employed in counties and cities here; the cost to his Department of same in the past year; the number of successful prosecutions that have been brought before the courts in each county as a result of anti-social behaviour complaints; and of those the number of properties that were taken back into the housing pool; if he is satisfied that the system in place to deal with anti-social behavioural problems within local authority housing areas is working; if his Department has any current plans to make any alternative proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6435/14]
View answerStatistics are not available to my Department in relation to the number of anti-social behaviour officers employed by housing authorities and my Department does not provide funding to authorities in respect of such staff.
Housing authorities furnished to my Department the 2012 statistics set out in the following table that correspond to the information relating to anti-social behaviour court proceedings sought.
|
Housing Authority |
Number of excluding orders made by court1 under section 3, Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 |
Number of warrants issued by court1 under section 62, Housing Act 1966 |
Number of dwellings repossessed by housing authority on foot of section 62 warrants |
|
County Councils: |
|||
|
Fingal |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
- |
- |
|
City Councils: |
|||
|
Dublin |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Galway |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
- |
4 |
2 |
|
Town/Borough Councils: |
|||
|
Athlone |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
New Ross |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Sligo |
1 |
- |
- |
1 District Court, or Circuit Court on appeal.
As regards the 2012 data for section 62 warrants and repossessions, following the Supreme Court declaration in February 2012 that section 62(3) of the 1966 Act is incompatible with the State’s obligations under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights , by reason of the absence of appropriate procedural safeguards in circumstances where there exists a factual dispute as to whether a tenancy has been properly terminated, housing authorities generally ceased applying for section 62 warrants in such cases.
Arising, inter alia, from consideration of the Supreme Court judgement, the Government, on 17 December 2013, approved priority drafting of a Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that will provide, among other things, for a revised procedure to replace section 62 of the Housing Act 1966 enabling housing authorities to recover possession of their dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including engaging in anti-social behaviour. There will also be provisions in the Bill to strengthen the power of authorities to secure court orders excluding individuals engaged in anti-social behaviour from local authority housing and estates.
383. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on plans to put in place a regulator for the waste collection sector; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6446/14]
View answer385. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a waste collection regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6477/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 385 together.
The Government’s waste policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, sets out a range of measures which will significantly revise the current regulatory regime to ensure, inter alia , that waste collected is managed in accordance with the waste hierarchy; that mandated service levels are delivered; and that customer charters are put in place by all waste collection providers. The work of developing the new regulatory structures to give effect to the measures set out in the waste policy document is under way and my Department has engaged with a range of key stakeholders in relation to the detailed design of the new system. I also published a consultation document on the regulation of household waste collection on 28 November 2013 to guide the development of the new regulatory regime to strengthen and improve the regulation of household waste collection. Details are available on my Department’s website: www.environ.ie.
It is the intention that the improved regulatory regime will deliver both enhanced environmental performance and ensure a quality service for consumers. In addition to the above, the National Consumer Agency has also engaged with the waste industry in relation to consumer issues such as the terms and conditions contained in contracts and the refund of credit balances and cancellation fees. My focus is on full implementation of the Government’s waste policy and I have no plans for the establishment of a waste regulator.
384. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6454/14]
View answerMy Department approach to the engagement of professional services is informed by the central guidance and policy set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to procurement. My Department collates and provides details of procurement payments in excess of €20,000, on a quarterly basis , on my Department’s website, www.environ.ie.
This sets out the nature of the service, the supplier, the payment amount and the date of payment. The wider information requested in relation to the Department is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. Detailed information in relation to the procurement of services by agencies is not held by my Department.
386. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money spent for each of the past five years on emergency accommodation for persons with housing needs. [6510/14]
View answerStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and the purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
While it is clear that a proportion of funding must be used to provide sufficient bed capacity to accommodate those in need of emergency accommodation, it is equally important that resources are channelled to deliver more permanent responses in a more focused and strategic way.
My Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities provide additional funding from their own resources.
In February 2013, I published the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement in which the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.
The Homelessness Oversight Group, which I established in 2013 for the purposes of reviewing the progress of the approach being advocated in the statement, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions has submitted its first report to me. The report considered information on emergency and other accommodation. I am considering this report and its recommendations and I will consult with my Government colleagues on the implementation of these recommendations, as appropriate. A copy of this report is available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.
Details of expenditure on emergency accommodation by each of the 9 regions for the years 2009 to 2012 a re presented in the table below; anticipated outturn figures are provided for 2013 and the finalised figures are expected shortly.
|
Region |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 (anticipated) |
|
Dublin |
€24,397,869 |
€23,812,112 |
€20,637,019 |
€21,480,711 |
€23,211,421 |
|
Mid-East |
€647,482 |
€706,131 |
€603,815 |
€596,284 |
€661,507 |
|
Mid-West |
€3,272,105 |
€2,709,591 |
€2,277,486 |
€2,819,672 |
€2,623,927 |
|
Midland |
€620,262 |
€489,697 |
€496,310 |
€500,507 |
€484,662 |
|
North-East |
€1,254,284 |
€987,344 |
€1,010,497 |
€957,606 |
€607,462 |
|
North-West |
€170,973 |
€168,483 |
€174,608 |
€151,224 |
€137,764 |
|
South-East |
€1,331,020 |
€1,267,039 |
€1,435,474 |
€1,328,768 |
€845,267 |
|
South-West |
€2,207,807 |
€1,871,783 |
€1,535,326 |
€1,837,284 |
€1,554,756 |
|
West |
€1,022,715 |
€793,305 |
€574,106 |
€753,565 |
€610,888 |
|
Total |
€34,924,518 |
€32,805,484 |
€28,744,640 |
€30,425,621 |
€30,737,655 |
387. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the efforts he is making to recover the landfill levies of €4,627,565 due to the environment fund account that were not paid to the relevant local authorities, including where private sector operators of landfill sites entered into receivership; the funds he expects to recover on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6515/14]
View answerThe requirement to make payment of landfill levy is provided for in the Waste Management (Landfill Levy) Regulations 2011. Under these Regulations, it is a matter for the relevant local authority to collect the levy as prescribed. The Regulations also provide for the local authority to recover any levy which is due and payable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding the above, my Department keeps track of payments due and received into the Environment Fund from both landfill levies and the levies from the sales of plastic bags, and receives returns from local authorities on a monthly basis. Where there are levies outstanding, my Department urges local authorities to take appropriate and cost-effective steps to collect all revenue due to it in order to maximise the revenue into the Environment Fund.
388. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current situation with respect to the Arklow sewerage scheme; if the funding is still in place; the person now responsible for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6516/14]
View answerThe Arklow Sewerage Scheme was included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to commence within the lifetime of the Programme. Some elements of the scheme, including the provision of a waste water treatment plant, have been delayed due to litigation which is still in train.
In August 2013 my Department notified Wicklow County Council that funding would be available to allow the council award the contract for the South Green/Harbour Road Sewer Network Contract. I understand that the Council notified the preferred bidder that his tender would be accepted; however, the contractor subsequently withdrew from the contract late in 2013.
Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. It is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects included in the 2010 - 2013 Water Services Investment Programme.
389. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the names of the 18 contractors awarded €13.3 million of contracts by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6522/14]
View answerThe procurement by Irish Water of external resources is a matter for the company and I have no role in approving individual contracts. However, the company recently provided information to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht regarding the companies that were used to help deliver the required systems and processes in the establishment of Irish Water. Further details of the contracts relating to the establishment of Irish Water are set out in the submission made by the company to the Joint Oireachtas Committee and this submission has been published on the company’s website at www.water.ie.
A table setting out the details of the contracts referred to in the question is set out below.
|
- |
€ |
|
PWC |
2,183,715 |
|
Abtran |
1,600,000 |
|
Fujitsu |
1,027,009 |
|
Neueda |
835,723 |
|
Merc Partners |
731,127 |
|
System Dynamics |
727,950 |
|
Wipro Technologies |
688,682 |
|
PFH Technology |
628,325 |
|
Morgan McKinley |
598,935 |
|
Frontier Economics |
487,469 |
|
Deloitte |
471,779 |
|
SQS |
450,000 |
|
McKinsey |
389,000 |
|
Nathean Technologies |
276,506 |
|
Engineering Companies: |
- |
|
JB Barry & Partners - €312k |
- |
|
RPS Consulting Engineers - €262k |
- |
|
Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd - €210k |
- |
|
Long O'Donnell - €249k |
- |
|
Arup - €483k |
1,460,539 |
|
Sigmar |
184,094 |
|
Other Legal: |
- |
|
Arthur Cox - €184k |
- |
|
Mason Hayes Curran - €132k |
315,805 |
|
Tech Skills |
70,000 |
|
Hays |
210,000 |
|
TOTAL |
13,336,658 |
390. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the public funds that have been earmarked for the installation of household water meters. [6542/14]
View answer391. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the public funds that have been earmarked for the institution of Uisce Éireann, excluding the installation of household water meters programme. [6543/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.
The current water meter installation programme commenced in August 2013. The budget for the metering programme is €539 million excluding VAT. This programme is being funded by a commercial loan from the National Pensions Reserve Fund.
The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2014 provides an amount of €490 million for Irish Water from the Local Government Fund in 2014; the final outturn figure for 2014 will be slightly less at €486.5 million. This amount will fund water related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities, and met by them from their own resources and general purpose grants. In 2014, Irish Water will also receive €240 million in equity from the Minister for Finance. Irish Water is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects previously included in my Department’s 2010 - 2013 Water Services Investment Programme.
Costs previously incurred by my Department and the local authorities relating to the Water Sector Reform Programme have been met from my Department’s vote. These costs amounted to €15.7 million in the period 2012 - 2013. The majority of this expenditure related to funding provided to local authorities to meet the costs of the pre-installation survey required as part of the domestic metering programme and the staffing costs of the Water Services Transition Office which was put in place to ensure appropriate arrangements for engagement with the local authority sector during the reform process.
393. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide funding to assist in the regeneration of a housing estate (details supplied) in Darndale and other regeneration projects in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6560/14]
View answerWork is currently under way in my Department on preparing the capital allocations under the various housing measures which comprise the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2014. I intend to announce details of these allocations as soon as possible.
As part of this process, I am reviewing the existing levels of contractual commitments on approved housing projects and the potential to approve new projects to proceed to construction in 2014. Funding for the remediation of Buttercup estate is being considered in this context. I understand that part of the works proposed will be undertaken within the area known as the Snowdrop estate. To date, €833,000 has been recouped to Dublin City Council in respect of demolition and related works at this location.
394. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps that are being taken and will be taken to assist persons living in a home that is subject to a shared ownership mortgage between them and a local authority who now find themselves affected by negative equity but where the rental portion to be paid continues to increase year on year. [6566/14]
View answer395. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received a supplementary briefing from the Housing Agency regarding the issues requiring further detailed analysis to fully assess the impact on local authorities' finances of introducing possible mitigating measures for persons living in shared ownership situations. [6567/14]
View answer396. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline all of the options that can be explored to alleviate the difficulties of those in shared ownership distress that are contained in the recent circular letter issued to local authorities by his Department. [6568/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 394 to 396, inclusive, together.
The Government’s 2011 Housing Policy Statement announced the standing down of all affordable housing schemes, including the shared ownership scheme, in the context of a full review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2013. Details regarding the review are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie.
The period for public submissions has closed and submissions from a variety of interested parties are now under consideration. I expect to be in a position to formulate future policy approaches and actions, taking account of the consultation process, in the near future.
In 2013, I asked the Housing Agency to conduct a stand-alone review of the shared ownership scheme, including identification of the main difficulties and recommendations for mitigating measures. While I have received an initial draft of the review from the Agency a number of issues have been identified that need further detailed financial analysis in order to fully assess the impact on local authority finances of possible mitigating measures. This data collection exercise has been initiated and will inform future actions.
Pending full conclusion of this review, my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities in December 2013 setting out some of the options and interim actions that might be explored to alleviate the difficulties of those in shared ownership distress such as allowing use of the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process and room rental for Shared Ownership mortgage holders. It is accepted that these proposals are not a complete solution to the issues that arise for such mortgage holders but are intended as an interim measure pending outcome of the review.
The mortgage arrears resolution process, already in place in respect of commercial mortgages, is now being implemented across all local authorities. In cases of acute mortgage distress, homeowners also have the option of seeking to avail of the legal process now also in place to deal with personal insolvency. I fully recognise that shared ownership home owners are, in many cases , impacted by the downturn in the same way as other home owners, for example in consequence of unemployment and possible negative equity. In such cases borrowers should actively engage with their lenders, whether a commercial financial institution or a local authority, to seek to avail of one of the options available to provide sustainable solutions to distressed mortgages.
On foot of the recommendations of the Keane Report on mortgage arrears, the Government launched a Mortgage to Rent scheme on a pilot basis in February 2012. This scheme was extended nationally in June 2012, targeting those low income families whose mortgage situation is unsustainable and where there is little or no prospect of a significant change in circumstances in the foreseeable future. The Scheme ensures that the family remains in their home, while ownership is transferred to an approved housing body and the family becomes a tenant of the approved housing body. Eligibility requirements are in line with other forms of social housing support.
The scheme for local authority borrowers in arrears, which was piloted in two local authority areas, Westmeath County Council and Dublin City Council, was rolled out nationally very recently. With the support of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Housing Finance Agency, I will be allocating an additional €20m to the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) fund in 2014 to significantly expand the capacity of that resource to assist households in mortgage distress.
